Forest school only for 'select' children

[Eyelashesrgreat]

Ds in Y3 and his school have recently 'selected' children from his class to go to forest school. The children do this weekly whilst the other children have to stay at school and do work. The children (selected) get to wear their own clothes that day and have treats.

The school did the same thing last year and ds wasn't chosen then. Ds has had a really difficult time recently at school and would have loved to have been selected for this activity. I asked his teacher if all the children will eventually get their turn at the forest school but she has said only certain children can go. AIBU to think this is a bit unfair?

Oh wow. Are you stamping your feet at the unfairness of it all?!

My kids never got any special treats and both they and I were just fine that - because it meant they did not have the extra challenges that would have meant the school identified they needed the treats to help them deal with the extra challenge of having whatever was causing the problem...

Not having any specific challenges is a massive piece of luck, and worth far more than any day trip or similar.

Pleased to see that the vote is still massively in the OP’s favour.

For all those getting in a froth, you can take your dc to Forest School.

My ds got to do it at school and I took him for a day during the half term.

He was much younger then and all the children at his school got to go to Forest School because they are disabled.

I'm glad he did because now he is at secondary and can't leave the house which is so unbelievably sad and difficult for him and us.

My other two kids have never done Forest School or had any treats like those bitterly described on this thread.

And I thank my lucky stars that this is because they don't suffer in the way their brother does.

I think op and her fellow 'woe is me' contingent should be teaching their kids more resilience and gratitude.

"I’m beginning to hope that you are trolling

if not, your last remarks are breathtaking in their lack of comprehension"

Unfortunately there are people who think like this who are without empathy and understanding. The trolls who think it is funny are also lacking in empathy and understanding.

Why would that please you?A few entitled mums on Mumsnet voting in support of an equally entitled mum.

Thankfully back in the real world needy children and families will be targeted and made the priority for much needed interventions.

www.theschoolrun.com/11-diy-forest-school-activities

Here you go, if your kids are so needy do it yourself. My kids had masses of exposure to activities like the above at playgroups, nursery, home, fun days etc. They had far less need for it in school than others.

I wonder if all the posters who agree with the OP also begrudge free school meals?

I get that some kids might benefit from treats at school but don't they all deserve a turn or at least an alternative? do they deserve “a turn” at the disability, the trauma, and/or the abuse? You can choose to take off the blinkers.

I remember when DS was at Primary school he had a whinge about some of the pupils being able to use iPads even if they hadn’t finished their work, whereas he was only allowed to use the iPad when he finished his work, in this particular lesson.

I explained that he didn’t struggle with going to school every day (he enjoyed school), he didn’t struggle with concentrating or sitting still, he didn’t struggle understanding the lesson, he didn’t struggle with trying to keep his feelings under control. I explained that the iPad might help these pupils who did struggle cope with the lesson. I explained that because DS didn’t have these struggles school was much easier for him and that would help him in life as he got older. He understood, pity adults can’t.

He also had friends in his class who lost parents, parents with cancer and a child whose mother was not allowed to see him. He understood that they might be given ‘treats’ at school that he might not get, but I think he was happier having both parents alive and healthy

and the people saying do you not agree with extra maths or counselling sessions then are either being deliberately disingenuous or are thick as shit? Just ignore the utter bilge spouting from their mouths.

Oh my god, the irony!

Fingers crossed they all develop a learning disorder or experience trauma then, hey.

Sadly, the vote does not surprise me. Every time we start a fresh intervention, stroppy parents come into school to ask why their child can't have it. It's an awful indictment of society and the selfish entitlement of many, clamouring to ensure that their own child does not 'miss out.'

too much - you sound like a wonderful, compassionate parent. It will have been noticed at your school I'm sure.

I am fostering a lovely little boy and he is always selected for Forest school. The school receive Pupil premium plus for him but he is doing really well at school and he gets excellent reports. However, whenever he has his PEPs the school always push Forest Scool for him even though I don't agree, we live in a very rural area and he gets plenty of time in the countryside. I think it is to justify how they are spending the PPP.

We have forest school for all and even in primary we do one day a week learning outside. We’re only in nursery so far but parents seem to really appreciate it so I guess there’s a benefit to all.

We didn’t have it in the old school but seeing how positive people are makes me appreciate it. It is very oversubscribed though so I guess there’s an attraction to the ethos.

You are right that they are expected to justify how they have spent pp on enriching his school experience but you can certainly say no or suggest alternatives if you don't want him to do it.

Does he have any attachment needs that benefit from Forest school though? I know you live in a forested area but not many people build fires or hammocks, carve sculptures etc.

But yes you can definitely say that you don't give permission for him to do it.

My teen didn’t get on the school trip to France she was disappointed but actually she is very fortunate in lots and ways and we travel extensively I genuinely would rather the spot went to a child that wouldn’t otherwise leave the country.

@undersleptagain There are other benefits to "Forest School", it's very much about activities with teamwork and developing relationships with adults and other children. As a foster child he may benefit from that extra support? But yes, I agreee with pp that if he doesn't need that you could ask for some alternative that would benefit him more.

Please tell me your being sarcastic. 😡🤔

Remember though it’s not just fire building and pizza making, he’s also getting time away from the classroom to break up his week. If he’s being fostered (ie not his permanent home) I’d be really careful about losing that time.

OP's child does have trauma and resulting issues though . He isn't lucky.

The OP hasn't said their child has experienced trauma. They have said (although their focus started off as 'fairness') that their child lacks confidence and is unhappy at school.

And many posters, myself included, have encouraged her to raise those issues with the school and advocate for her child getting the support they need.

Bullying is trauma. It's a form of child abuse.

Also, as a parent whose (adoptive) child was removed from their birth family under child protection legislation, I.e. for suffering 'significant harm', and has been diagnosed more than a decade later as suffering PTSD as a result, please don't throw the word trauma around.

Children can need additional support for any number of reasons, and should get that support. But trauma is a specific diagnosis.

Bullying may result in trauma if not addressed. Trauma is not an inevitable result of bullying if it is tackled promptly and the victim gets the support they need.

It certainly should be raised with the school and tackled.

@Runnerbeansflower my dad abused me in multiple ways and tried to kill my sister in front of me. I was also bullied for years at school.

I have diagnosis of CPTSD and attachment issues and have been in psych treat!ent for them . The bullying has been the same for me as the abuse from my dad. Abuse is abuse. The effects are always damaging